Holden's conflict about confronting the glove thief reveals what about his self-perception?

• A. He is unsure whether he is brave or cowardly.
• B. He is certain he will always avoid conflict.
• C. He is confident he can avoid any risk.
• D. He has no inner conflict.

Answer: (A)

Holden’s moment about the glove thief is all about how he judges his own courage. He wavers between wanting to stand up for what’s right and fearing how he’ll come off if he does, so he can’t decide if he’s brave or cowardly. That ambivalence shows a fragile, self-conscious self-image: he wants to be seen as strong, but he’s constantly second-guessing what his actions say about him. The scene isn’t about avoiding conflict as a rule or having no inner struggle; it reveals that Holden’s sense of who he is depends on a fragile balance between bravery and fear, which is why the idea of him being unsure about his own bravery is the best fit.